Words cannot describe the beauty that was Caroline and Chris’s wedding day! But even more beautiful than the details is the love that Caroline and Chris share for each other and their family and friends. It was such a heartwarming environment and they truly cared about the guest experience at every touch point. From their luxe letterpress invitations to our extensive transportation schedules to the delectable culinary experience to the flawless floral designs created in family silver pieces to the late night snacks of Bojangles chicken biscuits … every detail was meticulously considered by Caroline, Chris, and their families. The result was the ultimate event in celebration of their marriage and gathering of their nearest and dearest. It was my pleasure to design and plan with them, but even more so to know them and play a small part in their love story! Thanks Style Me Pretty for sharing their beautiful wedding last week! You can see the full feature here. Now without further ado, feast your eyes on every stunning detail captured perfectly by my sweet friend Alexa of Alexa’s Photography!
Caroline and her family spend their summers and holidays at their beautiful lake home on Badin Lake. It is the meeting place for Caroline, her five siblings, and her parents and will continue to be their home away from home as their families continue to grow. When it came time to decide where to host the wedding, there was no question — it would be at the lake. Caroline’s parents designed the house after the Dickens Village and for the wedding, we continued the Old English style with a few rustic touches throughout the property.
After Caroline and I had our initial chat on invitations, I knew Smitten On Paper would be the perfect fit to create the first touch point for guests. They were able to deliver on our must haves — a luxurious extra thick paper for letterpress and an elegant yet laid back design — while perfectly sharing all of the information guests needed to know about.
Caroline’s wedding gown was the epitome of casual yet refined elegance. It was beautiful yet breezy and she was able to dance the night away without being weighed down in the summer heat with layers of fabric. The only person that that came close to Caroline in beauty on her wedding day was her sweet grandmother, Lee Lee, in her stunning gold gown.
The wedding ceremony took place behind their home with a beautiful, unobstructed view of the lake. Sweet summer bouquets accented the aisle while a greenery garland and lush over the top floral designs flanked the spot where Caroline and Chris said I do.
These three lovey ladies were the perfect flower girls to set the stage for their Aunt Caroline in their floral crowns, petit bouquet, and silver bell. The ceremony that followed was so heartfelt and intimate. I just love the way that Chris looked at Caroline and the pride on Caroline’s father’s face as he gave his daughter away.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres, a seafood station, champagne, and cocktails on the terrace adjacent to the ceremony site and inside the house. Party Reflections created a custom circular bar that perfectly matched the interior of the Cummings’ home.
Alexa never ceases to amaze me. I know you will swoon over the next few images as much as I do!!
When cocktail hour concluded, guests were lead from the terrace down this secret garden-esque pathway to find their seating assignment.
The MVP award of our event team, hands down, goes to Jay at In Bloom, Ltd. Jay created the most beautiful floral designs and they were truly the cornerstone to our event design. From the over the top designs in front of the house and at the ceremony to the stunning arrangements he created in family silver for the dining tables, each piece was unique and elegant, exactly what Caroline envisioned.
It is no secret that I am a sucker for a chandelier (#LPWchandylove) so you can imagine my delight when all five of these beauties were installed.
I am still all heart eyes for this cake. For Goodness Cakes took the vine design found on our Smitten On Paper invitations and translated it into this classic yet unique cake design.
I love this capture of Caroline and Chris entering their dinner tent for the first time to see all of their family and friends enjoying a delicious four course meal. The culinary experience was a top priority for Caroline and Chris — they are both is foodies and enjoy all the cuisine NYC has to offer on a regular basis. Caroline also has an amazing food blog, Yolo-sole, and recently just started culinary school. Family friend and French Chef, Sylvain Rivet created a remarkable dining experience for Caroline, Chris, and their guests. Dinner started with a mixed green salad wrapped in a cucumber ribbon and dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette. The next course, served family style, consisted of roasted sea bass with lemon butter, seared petit filet mignon with a duo of bernaise and bordelaise sauces, roasted rosemary potatoes, and grilled seasonal vegetables with a balsamic reduction. Next to cleanse the palette, and because, well, everyone loves cheese, each table was presented with a stunning cheese board. Manchengo. brie, and smoked gouda were paired with fresh grapes, fig jam, and slices of French baguette. To end dinner on a sweet note, guests were served a trio of French macarons, creme brulee, and chocolate mousse.
During dinner, my team along with the amazing Party Reflections team turned the ceremony space into the reception space. Ceremony chairs were replaced by a rustic cedar dance floor, cocktail tables, soft seating, and party band. After dinner, Caroline and Chris lead their guests back to the party space for a night of dancing under the stars. Their wedding cake was served alongside some more delicious desserts and ice cream from Chef Sylvain’s bakery.
As the evening started to wind down, Caroline and Chris wanted to treat their guests to a North Carolina delicacy, Cajun Chicken Biscuits from Bojangles!
Thank you to Caroline, Chris, your parents, families and friends for making us feel so at home! The LPW team and I were so honored to play a part in your wedding day and it could not have been more perfect. Cheers to your first year of marriage and many more to come!!!
Event Planning + Design: Leigh Pearce Weddings | Photography: Alexa’s Photography | Floral Design: In Bloom, Ltd. | Wedding Dress: Mira Zwillinger | Cake: For Goodness Cakes | Invitations: Smitten on Paper | Catering: Sylvian Rivet | Hair + Makeup: Carla White | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Officiant: Patrick Maloy | Ceremony Music: Carolina Classic Strings | Transportation: Holiday Tours | Transportation: Park Inc. | Power + Lighting: Sound Illusions | Rentals: Party Reflections
